Patriots carrying 5 RBs in effort to stay fresh

It's unusual for a team to keep five running backs on its roster. And if that team has an All-Pro quarterback — arguably one of the greatest to ever play the game — running the show, well, it's almost downright unheard of.

But as of right now, that's exactly where the Patriots stand. They have Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor, and Benjarvus Green-ellis on the roster.

The Pats might be keeping five because their top two backs heading into last season, Maroney and Morris, have been hurt. In fact, Maroney played in only three games last season and was limited to 93 yards rushing. In his career, Maroney has never played a complete season. Morris was limited to six games in 2007, though he did manage to play in 13 games in 2008.